By Dylan Ehle

STEUBENVILLE, OH - The Lady Barons of Franciscan University of Steubenville tipped off against Penn State-Behrend on Saturday in a 57-41 loss.  Even with star rebounder Angelle Cupit absent from the game and playing in the shadow of the Lions' 65-29 rout of them earlier in the season, the Lady Barons were still able to make the game a close contest.  

"If we had shot better, we definitely would have been in this game," Lady Barons Head coach Kelly Herrmann remarked in a post-game interview.  "We outrebounded them and were able to keep pace with their press, but our shots just weren't falling today."  Coach Herrmann pointed to the Nitty Lions' 41.4% first half shooting in comparison to the Lady Barons' 16.7% to illustrate her point.

Freshman Kristin Belleque led the Lady Barons in scoring with 15 points. Sophomore Nicole Naugle had 12 and Cara Mitchell contributed 8.  Marian Weber had 12 rebounds, while Belleque and Mitchell had 9 each.  Nicole Naugle was also a standout on the defensive side of the ball with 5 blocks.

"A 16 point loss to a team like Behrend is actually something to be proud of," Coach Herrmann remarked, "We've improved dramatically since the last time we played them, and we continue to come out and persevere every day."

The Lady Barons are now 4-15 overall and 2-14 in the Alleghany Mountain Colligate Conference. They will compete in their final home game at 6 p.m. on Monday night against Penn State-Beaver.